My Friend, Accept defeit and JUST blog!

I’m sitting on the veranda of our Cockle Bay House, watching the palm tree in our gardened compound rustle in the rainy wind, and listening to the angry yet calming sound of thunder in the distance. I wonder at the fact that I feel so settled after only a month. This time last month (if counting by date, not weeks) I was sitting on the descending plane secretly wondering whether it would be a week before I thought, ‘okay, who was the idiot who filled out that application form and invited herself into a year of misery?’ But at the risk (well too late now) of sounding like a cliché, I really am enjoying it.

I really did mean to blog sooner, I did. I even started a few draft posts, but the problem was/is my tenacity. I was so determined to put up pictures, creating a wonderful narrative of Banke’s journey into Sierra Leone, that I missed the opportunity to give you minute-by minute detailed accounts of my experience (I bet you’re breathing a sigh of relief) But don’t worry, I have found a way and am still working on it and will release it to you all as soon as I reach out an outlet with a speedy internet connection.

With no preamble, I’m going to crack on and tell you what I really think about this place (I bet you’re on the edge of your seats...). The great thing about Sierra Leone is the People! I am amazed everyday by what I see. Firstly they are really friendly... well apart from this lady who sells Freya (one of my housemates) and I bread in the mornings on our way to work. She always looks miserable and we are seriously trying to find a way to cheer her up.

... I have just had the most brilliant idea. As part of my role as an advocacy officer in SL, and to aid participation and inclusivity in decision-making processes, I’ve decided to set up a poll to discover how we can brighten up our bread lady’s day. Please help us by answering the poll after reading this blog. Our decision depends on your answer...

Okay, so there was a bit of a preamble... As I was saying, the people are great. They are friendly and very accommodating. They all seem to think I am Sierra Leonean and once I begin to talk, they then think I am a Sierra Leonean, come home to visit her parents. I have received a few friendship requests and can now say ‘how di bodi’ pretty well. Sadly, this is the only Krio I have managed to perfect so far...

... actually... Mek I get one bred Ya?

So my 40 lines have been used up and more, and I haven’t managed to tell you a single thing about my experience in SL... I promise to divulge in my next blog... till then.
 Bankexx